Boca Raton City Council Special Meeting - January 27, 2026
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Boca Raton City Council Special Meeting - January 27, 2026
This special meeting of the Boca Raton City Council was held on January 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM to consider Resolution No. 006-2026, which addresses a referendum petition affidavit submitted by a political committee, and to introduce Ordinance No. 5772, which clarifies the legal consequences of a negative vote in the upcoming March 10, 2026 citywide referendum on the Downtown Campus public-private partnership. The meeting lasted approximately 36 minutes, concluding at 9:36 AM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joe Magis (254 Northeast Fifth Street) – Representing himself as a member of the original 'Save BOCA' committee. He argued that the new petition to repeal Ordinance 5769 would undermine the public vote already secured for March 10, 2026. He stated that the contract’s Section 23.24 conditions the agreement on voter approval, calling the petition effort “disingenuous and hypocritical.” He urged the public not to be misled by claims that the vote is not guaranteed.
- John Perlman (498 Northeast A Street) – A proponent of the new petition. He alleged that the city attorney made an “extraordinary change” to the contract that would make it binding even if the referendum did not occur. He asserted that the council is trying to prevent a vote and that the public is overwhelmingly against the project. He vowed to continue collecting signatures under the City Charter’s Section 6.02.
- Richard Warner (1322 Southwest 9th Terrace) – Expressed confusion and distrust of the council (except Council Member Thomson). He questioned why millions of dollars are being spent to promote a yes vote and asked what would happen if voters reject the project. Mayor Singer responded that the developer is free to advocate, and that a no vote would leave the city to evaluate other options for the downtown campus.
- Jonathan Unjin (6501 Congress Avenue) – Criticized the leadership of the original Save BOCA committee for not taking a win after securing a vote and for instructing the community not to engage with the council or developer. He called the new petition a “dictatorship” and urged the public to reject it.
- Yudmila Schneider Perlman (498 Northeast Eighth Street) – Stated that the purpose of the new petition is to “ensure our right to vote,” arguing that the city has made promises that cannot be trusted.
Discussion Items
- Resolution No. 006-2026 – The council considered a resolution finding that the referendum petition affidavit submitted by a political committee (later identified as associated with candidate John Perlman) is duplicative of the binding citywide referendum already scheduled for March 10, 2026. The resolution directs the City Clerk not to process or accept signature pages submitted under that affidavit. City Attorney Taylor explained that the March 10 referendum is binding: if voters approve, the project moves forward; if they reject, the ordinance authorizing the transaction is automatically repealed. He noted that the city’s legal team (including special counsel and outside litigation counsel) all reached the same conclusion. Council members expressed frustration that the new petition creates confusion and is based on false statements.
- Introduction of Ordinance No. 5772 – This ordinance was introduced (not voted on) to make explicit that if voters reject the project on March 10, Ordinance No. 5769 (which conditionally authorized the transaction) is automatically repealed. The city attorney described it as a “belt and suspenders” provision to remove any ambiguity. The ordinance was introduced by a council member (likely Deputy Mayor Nachlas) and will be considered at a future meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Resolution No. 006-2026: The council voted 5-0 to adopt the resolution. The roll call indicated all five members present (Mayor Singer, Deputy Mayor Nachlas, Council Members Drucker, Thomson, and Wigder) voted in favor.
- Introduction of Ordinance No. 5772: The ordinance was introduced and will be subject to a future public hearing and vote. No further action was taken at this meeting.
- Next Steps: The March 10, 2026 citywide referendum will proceed as scheduled. Vote-by-mail is already underway. The council emphasized that the public will have the final say.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, I call to order a special meeting of the good morning. I call to order a special meeting of the Boca Raton City Council. It is Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The time is 9 o'clock. Will everyone please rise and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Will you please call the roll? Mayor Singer? Here. Deputy Mayor Knackless? Here. Councilmember Drucker. Here. Councilmember Thompson. I am here. Councilmember Waker. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you. The purpose of this public hearing is for consideration of resolution Zix-2026 and the introduction of ordinance 5772. Ms. Siddons, would you please read the title of resolution 6-2026? Resolution 6, 2026. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Boca Raton, Florida regarding a referendum petition affidavit submitted pursuant to City Charter Section 6.02. Finding that the relief sought therein is duplicative of and already provided by a binding citywide referendum scheduled for March 10th, 2026. Determining that the affidavit does not trigger the charter's referendum process, directing the city clerk not to process or accept signature pages submitted pursuant to said affidavit, providing for severality, providing an effective date. Thank you. Would you also please read the title of ordinance 5772 will not be voted on, but you might as well read the title, please? Ordinance number 5772, an ordinance of the City of Poca Reton, Florida confirming and making explicit the legal consequences that would result in the event of a negative vote at the March 10th, 2026 citywide referendum on the downtown campus transaction providing for the conditional repeal of ordinance number 5769 upon such event. Clarifying that the conditional repeal is consistent with and confirmatory of section three of ordinance number 5769, providing for severality, providing effective date. Thank you, Mr. Soaney. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I recommend adoption of resolution number six, twenty twenty-six and introduction of ordinance number fifty-seven seventy-two. Resolution number six twenty-twenty-six and ordinance number fifty-seven seventy-two reaffirm the City Council's decision to provide the voters of the City of Oca Raton with a binding referendum on the downtown campus, public-private partnership scheduled for March 10th, 2026. The details legislative findings, purpose and effect of both the resolution and the ordinance are set forth in the respective recitals and operative sections. And I'll turn it over to the city attorney. Mr. Taylor. Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Um just start with the most important point, which is that nothing about this project happens unless the voters approve it. The March 10th referendum is scheduled. Vote by mail is underway, and the voters will decide. There'll be one question, one vote, and one answer. Either yes or no. And that's binding.
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